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Divine Mercy Community Update
March 2023
Divine Mercy Info
Principal- N. Tome
Vice Principal- T. Brancalion
Secretary- R. Panousis
Trustees- Brea Corbet Ward 9 & 10 905-301-9373 L. del Rosario-Ward 6 & 11 416-528-6447 Herman Viloria Ward 2 & 8 905-890-1221
Superintendent- Martine Lewis (905) 890-1221
Parish- Merciful Redeemer
Pastor: James (Seamus) Hogan
Associate Pastors:
Fr. Suresh Xavier
Rev. Iguintz Calixte S.D.B
Email: DivineMercyInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
Location: 2840 Duncairn Drive, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-812-5445
Twitter: @DivineMercyDP
A Prayer for the Virtue of Kindness
God wants us to give generously to others around us.
God wants us to be kind to everyone we meet. Being kind is about more than just pretending to be nice. It is about helping and playing with others because we want to and not because we feel we have to. God helps us to be kind to our family and friends because by being kind we are able to see God in every one we meet.
Confirmation Crosses and Confessions at Merciful Redeemer Parish
Lenten Prayer
Good and Gracious God,
You call your people back to You this Lent.
May this sacred season renew our desire to live fully the promises of our Baptism and to love You with a whole heart through more frequent prayer, Acts of charity and fasting,
May we remember that loving You and one another is the most important thing we can do.
In confidence, we ask these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
FIRSTCONFESSION SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Catholic School Council
Our Catholic School Council Meeting dates for this year.
November 7, 2022 5:30 to 6:30
January 16 2023 5:30 to 6:30
February 27, 2023 5:30 to 6:30
April 24, 2023 5:30 to 6:30
Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in volunteering at Divine Mercy? Our volunteers support programs and activities at the school. We appreciate and rely on parents who can devote a small portion of their time to help. People who volunteer in schools and attend trips are required to have completed Vulnerable Sector Check -Level 3, which can be completed online at the link below.
Please note that if you have previously submitted a Criminal Reference Check, they have expired due to the pandemic time lapse, unless you have completed the Annual Declaration. Please connect with the main office if you are unsure. We have requested for 2023/2024 Annual Offence Declaration Form from the Board but have not received it yet, As soon as we do I will post it here.
Once the form is completed, your volunteer service can begin. We look forward to working with you for the betterment and support of all students.
Pizza Days are Back!
Session 2 Pizza Dates are as follows:
January 24, 31
February 7, 14,21,28
March 7, 21, 28
April 4, 11
Tuck Shop
Divine Mercy’s Grade 8 students will be starting fundraising initiatives to raise money for their Graduation activities, some of which include food. Please see the attached list of ingredients.
Advise the school through email of any dietary restrictions or if you wish for your child not to participate in any of the activities below. The fundraising activities are:
- Tuck Shop: Over the next ten weeks, Gr 8 students will run a tuck shop for students in grades 1 through 8 before the last recess on Thursdays.
- $2 Frito Lays / Ruffle All dressed Chips
- $2 Doritos / Cheetos
- $2 SmartFood White Cheddar Popcorn
- $1 Large sour keys
- Terra Cotta Cookies
Hearing and Vision March 6th and 7th
CCCSC is excited to announce an upcoming parent engagement event, welcoming Niigaan Sinclair, who will be presenting Healthy Hallways and Creative Classrooms: Reconciling Schools.
This event is being held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 6:30 pm for all to attend at the Catholic Education Centre.
Lunch Ladies starting March 23rd
The Lunch Lady school lunch program is coming to Divine Mercy on Thursdays starting this week on March 23rd!
Please see the attached flyer for instructions on setting up an account as well as ordering instructions. You will need to enter your child's name and select your child's teacher information as a part of your account information.
Lunch options include kid favourites such as pasta, burgers, grilled cheese, shepherd's pie, as well as many "breakfast for lunch", vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. There's even a specialized "Little Lunches" menu for our younger students to enjoy!
Prices range from $4.85 to $8 per entree.
You can place or cancel your order by 8 am on the delivery date.
Once you create an account you can order every week or only for the days that suit your schedule.
Thank you for your support!
Divine Mercy School Council
February Highlights at Divine Mercy
Grade 5, 6, 7, 8 Retreats
Jan 31 - Grade 8 - Revive This retreat focuses on assisting students to see what happens after their Confirmation
Shrove Tuesday
Pajama Valentine's Dance
Guelph Grotto
Guelph Grotto
Retreat
Sports Clubs
Retreat
Retreat
Karaoke Club
Ash Wednesday
Scientists in the School
Equity Updates
Travelling Library (Identify Affirming Texts)
The Equity Department recently sent our school some new books highlighting diversity. Each division will receive a copy of the books which are meant to be kept in the classrooms. The library will also have a copy of each new book to circulate.
Each class has be given a bin of books to explore. Each bin will have 4-5 books. Teachers may choose to read these books for read-alouds or encourage students to choose them for independent reading.
What are identity-affirming texts?
Identity-affirming texts give all students the opportunity to see a variety of identities affirmed through stories. This connection is incredibly important especially when students’ lives differ from the dominant narrative often presented in mainstream texts and media. In those cases, finding texts that truly connect with all students can involve a focus on equity that uplift different ways of knowing and being. Texts provide a lens which offers children an opportunity to learn about who is important, who matters, who is visible. Identity-affirming texts foster positive self-conception and self-worth while improving a student’s overall academic engagement and success.
- These stories offer avenues to continue conversations surrounding systemic oppression with a focus on anti-racism and Indigenous histories and stories.
- This collection will offer an opportunity to provide “Windows” and “Mirrors” as defined by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop.
- Books that act as “Mirrors” allow students to see themselves within the storyline, characters, and experiences. Students will be able to make connections and be seen and heard after reading.
- Books that act as “Windows” allow students to see into the life or experience of someone else in a way the students may not have previously experienced. Through these books, students learn about the world through a new lens, offered by a storyline, characters or big ideas that may represent identities and ways of knowing and being that differ from their own.
To support the understanding of stories, it is important to uplift the framing of some of the books using the phrasing “words by” and “pictures by” as descriptions of who has contributed to the creation of these stories.
Kiss and Ride Concerns
We are having some safety concerns during the morning and end day related to kiss n' ride.
Please follow our 'Do' and 'Don't' list below
DON'T
- DON'T Walk and cross anywhere and everywhere through the kiss ride and thru lanes to get to the parking lot.
- DON'T Leave your car in kiss n ride to wait outside for kids. If you want to greet them outside your car - find a parking spot in the lot or on the street. Kiss n' Ride is not a parking spot.
DO
- DO Pull up your car as close as you can to the end of kiss n' ride.
- DO Use the cross walk at the front end of Kiss n' ride to go from the parking lot to the school. Crossing between live lanes is unsafe.
- DO Kiss and hug your kids (in the car) and remind them that you love them when you drop them off and pick them up.
Cold Weather is Here!
Inclement Weather Reminders
Our winter season is here! At this time we would like to remind all students to dress appropriately for the season by wearing the proper winter attire which should include hats, gloves/mitts, winter coats and boots. When students are dressed properly for the winter conditions, they can go outside and enjoy some fresh air and activity in comfort. There will be a few times during the course of the year where a recess may be shortened or held indoors due to extreme cold temperatures. Our school board policy states that although consideration should be given for keeping students indoors during recesses when the wind chill reaches -20C, students are to be kept indoors during recesses when the wind chill reaches -22C.
In the colder weather, we receive numerous requests to allow children to remain indoors when students have a cold, the flu, etc. Please note that we cannot comply as we neither have the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students. Moreover, the health officials indicate that the fresh air is good for children, and not harmful as long as they are dressed appropriately.
Winter Fun Safety Expectations
SNOW Safety Expectations
Now that the snow is here it is important to remind students that St. Therese of the Child Jesus has a strict rule of forbidding the throwing of snowballs and kicking of snow. Every student has been made aware of the importance of this rule in the preventing of injury to others.
S Snow stays on the ground
NO No standing, sitting, sliding down hills
W Winter wonder: building snow angels, snowpeople, snow forts!
Please review our Snow Safety Expectations with your children. Thank you for your support.
Important Reminder
Please note that to ensure the continued safety of all students, the Dufferin -Peel Catholic District School Board with the support of the Anaphylactic Society and the Peel Health Department has recommended that students not bring peanut butter alternatives (soy butter, sunflower butter) to school. We thank you for your cooperation in supporting student safety.
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALTIY
Head Injury Protocol
Safe Arrival: School Messenger
Whether it’s a medical appointment, an illness or other important event, there are times when students may need to be away from school. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District school board is introducing a new method for parents to report their child(ren)’s absences. Using the SafeArrival system, parents will be able to report daily or future absences in one of three ways:
Web:
- Go to the SafeArrival website at https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/home
- Select Sign Up to create your account. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
- Select Attendance.
- Select Report an Absence.
App:
- Download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Please note that SafeArrival uses the SchoolMessenger app.
- Select Sign-Up. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
- You will be prompted to enter your email (same email address your school has on file) and create a password.
- The system will send a link to the same email address the school has on file, please click on the link you have received in your email to activate your account.
Phone:
- Call the toll-free number 1-844-435-3440
- Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence.
- If the system doesn’t recognize your caller ID, you will be asked to enter the student’s home phone number or any phone number for the guardian that is on file with the school.
By directing your tax support to the Separate (Catholic) School System:
- You may vote for Catholic School Trustees in Municipal elections
- Your children may attend Catholic elementary schools
- You show your support for the Catholic school system
To verify that you are registered as an English Separate (Catholic) school supporter:
- Check the assessment section of your Tax Bill or Property Assessment Notice
- Check your Voter Information Card received during an election year (2022)
Have you moved?
Even if you have been an English Separate (Catholic) School Supporter in the past, the designation DOES NOT follow you when you relocate. By default, your property taxes support your municipality's English public school board. Every time you move or if there is a change of ownership, it is essential that you register yourself as an English Separate (Catholic) school supporter.
To register as an English Separate (Catholic) School Supporter or change your Direction of School Support, please contact the DPCDSB Admissions Department by phone at 905-890-0708 ext. 24512 or by email at admissions@dpcdsb.org.
Learn More:- Visit the Direction of School Support webpage
- Watch our Direction of School Support video
PASSWORD RESET TOOLS
You can now reset your password remotely by registering for the Password Reset Tool. You must know your old password to create a new one.
To reset your password remotely you must first register with the “Password Reset Tool”, which you can do by following one of these two steps:
Students: students.dpcdsb.org and select Password Reset
Staff: https://account.activedirectory.windowsazure.com/PasswordReset/Register.aspx
**Access to personal email/cell phone is required for registration.
Once you are registered, please follow the Password Reset Instruction
Easter Egg Hunt
- Easter Egg Hunt - Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Gr 8 Students will organize an Easter Egg Hunt for students FDK - Gr 4. Students are asked to donate $2.
Easter Egg Hunt
- Easter Egg Hunt - Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Gr 8 Students will organize an Easter Egg Hunt for students FDK - Gr 4. Students are asked to donate $2.
Extended French Information
Food items for Hope Drive
This Lenten season our school, as part of a larger DPCDSB drive, will be collecting non-perishable food items for Canadian Food for Children (Dr. Simone’s Warehouse). Food is one of the most needed donation items around the world and access to food can help keep communities healthy and thriving. Students are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food donations to their homeroom classes starting on March 20th to the end of Lent. Time and again our school community has shown their generosity and self-giving to others, and I know that the enthusiastic students, parents, and teachers at Divine Mercy will help make a difference through their donations.